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We’re warming up Wednesday as we talk about VW’s move to bring back physical buttons. We also talk about Buick’s buyout offers to Dealers nationwide, as well as a tiny little Cybertruck that you won’t get in time for Christmas.
Show Notes with links:
- Volkswagen is heeding customer feedback by reintroducing physical buttons in its vehicles, moving away from a solely touchscreen-based interface, as seen in the new ID.2all EV.
- Interior designer Darius Watola cites European customer feedback as a key influence for this change.
- Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer acknowledges the previous touchscreen design harmed customer loyalty.
- ID.2all's new interior features backlit physical buttons and a rotary dial for screen control, balancing with touchscreen infotainment.
- Volkswagen also plans to phase out hard plastics, leather, chrome, and glue for sustainability, without significantly raising costs.
- Nearly half of Buick's U.S. dealerships have chosen a buyout over investing in EV infrastructure, marking a significant shift in the brand's retail strategy
- Buick offered voluntary buyouts to dealers reluctant to spend on EV tooling, equipment, and training, leading to a 47% reduction in its U.S. dealership count.
- The brand, aiming for an all-electric lineup by the decade's end, now operates with around 1,000 dealerships, down from 1,958 at the year's start.
- Cadillac made a similar commitment to be all electric by 2030 and offered buyouts with a third of their dealers accepting one.
- Despite the reduced dealership network, Buick's U.S. sales increased by 58% year over year, with significant gains in their Encore GX and Envision models.
- Dealers who remain with Buick face an average investment of $300,000 to $400,000 for EV readiness, similar to Cadillac's approach in its own transition to electric.
- Duncan Aldred, Vice President of global Buick-GMC, states, "The network, where we are now, is a good size...with dealers who are focused on the business."
- According to the company, Americans are only an average of 25 miles from the closest Buick location
- The Cybertruck for Kids, a new electric ride-on toy inspired by the iconic Cybertruck design, is now available, featuring a 12 mile range and adjustable seats. The kicker…production is still an issue as they are already out of stock!
- The Cybertruck for Kids, priced at $1,500, is an all-electric, four-wheel ride-on toy for children, mirroring the design of the adult-sized Cybertruck.
- It includes a 22V battery, a 500W motor, and can reach a top speed of 10 mph with a high/low speed switch for safety.
- Deliveries are set to begin in late December 2023, but arrival before the holidays is not guaranteed.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.
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